Big Ten Power Rankings: MSU moves up, Iowa drops in new batch of rankings
Three of the league’s best teams were off this week, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t more shakeup near the top of our weekly power rankings.
Purdue did the unthinkable and knocked off previously unbeaten No. 2 Iowa on the road, which resulted in a steep drop in the rankings for the Hawkeyes. Michigan State found a way to remain unbeaten and avoid Indiana’s upset bid, and because of that moved up in the rankings. What about the rest of the league? See where I rank each of the Big Ten teams in our latest batch of Big Ten power rankings:
No. 14: Rutgers
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Previous power ranking: No. 10 (down four spots)
Record: 3-4 (0-4 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss at Northwestern, 21-7
Rutgers has returned to a familiar spot at the bottom of the Big Ten after Saturday’s loss at Northwestern. This felt like a game that Rutgers needed to win to prove they had broken through and were an improved team. However, that didn’t happen and now the Scarlet Knights will be hard-pressed to get to six wins and become bowl eligible after their 3-0 start to the season.
No. 13: Illinois
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Previous power ranking: No. 13 (same)
Record: 2-5 (1-3 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
Illinois had the week off and will need the extra preparation with a road trip to Happy Valley in store for next week. The Fighting Illini remain at No. 13 in the power rankings with no reason to move up or down this week.
No. 12: Northwestern
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Previous power ranking: No. 14 (up two spots)
Record: 3-3 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win vs. Rutgers, 21-7
The Wildcats are out of the cellar of the Big Ten with their win over Rutgers on Saturday. I had given up on Northwestern after the past few weeks but there evidently is still some fight in the Wildcats, and could potentially play their way into bowl contention down the stretch.
No. 11: Maryland
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Previous power ranking: No. 11 (same)
Record: 4-2 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
I was tempted to move the Terps up one spot but will leave them here for now as I still believe Nebraska is a slightly better team. Maryland returns to action this week against Minnesota in what feels like a must-win for the Terps as they try to get things back on track.
No. 10: Nebraska
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Previous power ranking: No. 7 (down three spots)
Record: 3-5 (1-4 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss at Minnesota, 30-23
Every time you want to believe Nebraska has things going in the right direction, they fall flat on their face. Just a few weeks ago I had the Cornhuskers at No. 6 in my power rankings and thought they were able to contend in the West Division. However, back-to-back close losses and Nebraska is back near the bottom of the Big Ten.
No. 9: Indiana
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Previous power ranking: No. 9 (same)
Record: 2-4 (0-3 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Michigan State, 20-15
Indiana is better than their record suggests, but a brutally tough schedule has gotten the best of the Hoosiers. All four of Indiana’s losses have came against top 10 teams and it’ll only get tougher next week when they host the Buckeyes.
No. 8: Purdue
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Previous power ranking: No. 12 (up four spots)
Record: 4-2 (2-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Iowa, 24-7
I haven’t been high on Purdue all season long so I was quite surprised with Saturday’s upset victory over the Hawkeyes. Purdue jumps up four spots thanks to that big-time win and could rise even higher if they back that win up with a victory over Wisconsin this upcoming week.
No. 7: Minnesota
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Previous power ranking: No. 8 (up one spot)
Record: 4-2 (2-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win vs. Nebraska, 30-23
Minnesota has proven to be a solid team that has the ability to play with most teams in this league. However, that loss to Bowling Green will plague the Gophers all year long when it comes to these rankings — hence why they aren’t higher than No. 7 after another impressive victory this week.
No. 6: Wisconsin
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Previous power ranking: No. 6 (same)
Record: 3-3 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win vs. Army, 20-14
Wisconsin was able to get by a pesky Army squad, and with the win is back to .500 on the year. The Badgers aren’t in the same class as the top five teams of the Big Ten but are the best of the rest right now.
No. 5: Iowa
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Previous power ranking: No. 2 (down three spots)
Record: 6-1 (3-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Purdue, 24-7
It was only a matter of time before water found its level with Iowa. The Hawkeyes in all honesty should have lost to Penn State last week, and it was a matter of time before their style of play (surviving on forcing an abundance of turnovers) would catch up with them. The Hawkeyes still appear to be the best team in the West Division but that gap certainly is much more narrow than we thought this time last week.
No. 4: Penn State
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Previous power ranking: No. 5 (up one spot)
Record: 5-1 (2-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
Penn State was off this week, and needed it after their tough loss at Iowa the week before. If healthy, the Nittany Lions appear to be the second-best team in the league but there are still some injury question marks right now, including at quarterback. We should know more after this week’s matchup with Illinois and then a massive battle with Ohio State on Oct. 30.
No. 3: Michigan
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Previous power ranking: No. 4 (up one spot)
Record: 6-0 (3-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
Michigan has a case to be one spot higher on this list but for now, I’m only moving them up to No. 3. The Wolverines were off this week, and return to action next week with a very winnable game against Northwestern. After that, comes a huge matchup with the Spartans on Oct. 30.
No. 2: Michigan State
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Previous power ranking: No. 3 (one up spot)
Record: 7-0 (4-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Indiana, 20-15
It wasn’t pretty but Michigan State found a way to win this week and remain undefeated on the season. The Spartans’ didn’t play particularly well but with Iowa’s loss and others on a bye I’m moving the Spartans up to No. 2 in my power rankings. But I’m confident in saying there’s a noticeable gap between No. 1 and No. 2 at this point in time.
No. 1: Ohio State
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Previous power ranking: No. 1 (same)
Record: 5-1 (3-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
Ohio State was off this week but it remains clear to me that the Buckeyes are the best team in the Big Ten. The league is deep at the top as we’ve seen all year long, but it still runs through Columbus.
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